Fastening device for wrist-watch straps and bracelets



June 21, 1927. 1,633,381

c. H. KESTENMAN FASTENING DEV-ICE FOR WRIST WATCH STRAPS AND BRACELETS Filed Feb. 12. 1927 Patented June 21,. 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFI CHARLES H. KESTENMAN, 0F PROVIDENCE, RHODE TSLAND, ASSIGNOR T0 KESTEN- MAN BROS. MFG. 00., OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, A CORPORATION OF RHODE ISLAND.

FASTENING DEVICE FOR WRIST-WATCH STRAPS AND BRACELETS.

Application filed February 12, 1927. Serial No. 167,839.

This invention relates to improvements in buckle or clasp devices for securing the ends of Wrist-watch straps, bracelets and the like.

Aprincipal object of the improvement is to provide extendible fastening means on the strap or bracelet which, after the latter has been adjusted to the proper length to fit the wrist, may be released and opened out to provide for slipping the strap or bracelet over the hand without unfastening the securing means.

Another object of the improven'ient is to provide a device of the type specified which 1s simple in construction, economical to manufacture and durable in use Without liability of the parts becoming broken or getting out of. order.

Another object of the improvement is to provide a device of the type specified which is neat in appearance and less bulky and cumbersome than similardevices employed for like purposes.

Further objects of the improvement are set forth in the following specification which describes a preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated by the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

' Fig. 1 shows a wrist-watch With a two part strap attached thereto and secured together with my improved device;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view 'of' the fastening device showing its parts folded into closed relation;

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing it partly unfolded;

Fig. 4 is a plan View of the device showing its parts in extended relation; and

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 2, showing amodified form of the device.

My improved device comprises in general a pair of coo crating members or plates which are hinge ly connected at one end to adapt them to fold together, one over the other, or to be opened out into extended relation. One section of the strap or bracelet on the wrist-watch is attached to one of the plates to adapt it to be adjusted in length, for instance in the manner of a buckle, and the other strap-section is fixedly secured to the second plate so that when said plates are folded into overlying relation the strap will be drawn tight around the wrist; and vice versa, when the plates are opened out the strap will be lengthened to adapt it to slip over the hand of the wearer. The present improvement relates particularly to the construction and arrangement of the two cooperating folding members or plates and the means for auto matically clasping them in closed relation to secure the strap or bracelet in position on the wrist.

Referring to Fig. l of the drawings, 2 designates a conventional type of wrist watch having bails 3 on its sides to which the ends of the strap-sections 4.- and 5 are suitably attached. One strap-section 4. is of a length adapted to encircle approximately half the wrist, while the other strap section 5 is of somewhat greater length to provide for extending the strap when the securing-device is unfolded.

As shown more particularly in Figs. 2, 3 and 4:, my improved clasping or fastening device for the strap ends, or in other cases for the ends of a metal band or bracelet. comprises two cooperating plates 7 and 8. The plates 7 and 8 are in effect extensions of the strap-sections 4 and 5 and are pref erably of arcuate shape in cross-section to adapt them when folded together to conform substantially to the contour of the wearers Wrist.

The bottom member or. plate 7 is provided with longitudinal side-flanges 9 bent or folded at right-angles to its main portion and offset or bowed outwardly at one end in the portions 10. At the opposite end of the plate 7 the flanges 9 are provided with suitable holes for receiving pivot-pins or pintles 12, preferably formed integral with and projecting from the sides of the plate 8, see Fig. 4. As shown in this latter view the member or plate 8 is of slightly less Width than the plate 7 to adapt it to fold into place between the flanges 9 on the plate 7 as illustrated in Fig. 2. At the opposite extremity from its pivot or hinged connection with the plate 7 the plate 8 is provided with bent over flanges 14 which are extended beyond the end of the plate to form ears 15. When the plates 7 and 8 are folded together the flanges 14 and ears l5 slide into place against the offset portions 10 of the side-flanges 9 on the plate 7.

The ears 15 on the plate 8 are punched or drilled with holes 16 adapted to receive .the ends of a cross-pin 17 which provides the hook or tongue the side-flanges 9 on the the the the means for fastening the end of strap-section 5 to the plate. Usually,

pin 17 projects through a sleeve or bushing.

18, see Figs. .2 and 3, around which the end of the strap-section 5 is looped and secured by cementing or stitching in the usual manner.

The bottom plate or member 7 f is adaptedfor attachment to the end of the other strapsection 4: to provide for adjustment in its length, and preferably I make use of means for this purpose similar to abuckle tongue. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, a narrow strip of the metal at the central portion of the plate 7 is cut or sheared away at 19 and bent over into reverse position toform a tongue or hook 20 extending in the direction of the hinged joint between the plates 7 and 8-.

The end of the strap-length l is punched with suitable holes 21 adapted to receive the tongue or hook 20 to secure the strap to the member 7 and to provide for adjusting its length to fit the wrist.

The upper or outer nrember or plate 8 is cut away or punched to form a rectangular opening 23, which for one purpose saves stock and reduces the weight of the whole device. The opening 23 also provides that 20- on the member or plate 7 may project through the plate 8 so that the two members may be folded more closely together with the plate 8 resting against the strap-length 4 inserted between plate 7. To further conserve metal and to lighten the structure the plate 8 isusually of thinner stock than the plate 7. When the two members or plates 7 and 8 are folded into closed relation as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 the strap or bracelet will be drawn tightly around the wearers wrist and to secure the parts in this relation suitable latching or detent means are provided.

The present improvement contemplates the provision of latching or clasping means constructed integral with the two members 7 and 8 and embodying the hook or tongue 20 as an operative part thereof. Referring particularly to Figs. 3 and 4,'a detent finger or catch 25 projects from the end of the slot 23 in the plate 8 and is bent into curved shape to adapt it to snap over and engage with the curved end of the hook 20, see Fig. 2. The finger 25 thus serves as a spring clasp or detent to hold the two plates 7 and 8 in closed relation while providing for their convenient release when pressure is applied under the free end of the plate 8.

Fig. struction of the clasping means in which the finger 25 on the plate 8 is latter embodiment of the invention the plate 7 is formed with a hook 27 which projects upwardly at right-anglesthereto and is then stra p-length convenience when it is 5 illustrates a modified form of coneliminated. In thisbent back and crim ed or. swaged over at 28 to form a rounde protuberance or detent adapted to snap over the straight edge of the opening 23 in the overlying plate 8. The plate 8 is therefore somewhat simplified in construction and one or more forming operations eliminated with respect to the bending up of a finger or detent on this element.

for use. \Vith the parts of the device unfoldedin extended relation as shown in F ig. 4 the strap or bracelet'may he slipped on over the hand without unbuckling or unfastening its ends. The wearer then folds the plate 8 over against the plate 7 to draw the strap-sections 4 and 5 snugly around the wrist, and then by forcing the outer plate 8 inwardly against the strap-end 4- causes the detent-member 25 to enter through the hole 21 inthe strap with which the hook 20 engages to snap over the end of the hook to secure the parts in closed relation. It will be understood that the connection of the adjusted by trial when the device is closed in order to secure the proper fit. After this adjustment has once been made, however,

the ends ofthe two strap-lengths need never be disconnected unless it should be necessary to change the adjustment due to stretch in the strap. Ordinarily, the watch may be removed from the Wrist by simply unclasping and folding back the members 7 and 8 whereby to extend the length of the strap or bracelet so that it will slip off over the hand. Likewise, the strap or bracelet may be ap- 4 with the member 7 must be plied to the wrist without disconnecting its ends so that the device provides for. greater watch or to replace it on the Wrist.

It is to be observed that the present improvement provides for the utmost simplicity in the construction of the parts of the device, there being only two elements in the complete structure. That is to say, there are only two parts to the device, the members 7 and 8, and these are connected in cooperative relation by means of the integra hinge pintles 12 on the plate 8 sprung desired to remove the 4 into holes in the side-flanges 9 on the memher 7. The hook 20 is formedintegral with the plate 7 and may be constructed by a shearing and bending operation performed in suitable dies. Likewise, the detent or clasp 25 is made integral with the plate 8 by a forming operation so that there is no need for the addition of extra parts or for the use of separate pins, springs, and the like. Due to this utter simplicity the device may be manufactured at relatively small cost and furthermore, the improvement makes for greater efiiciency and less chance of the parts becoming broken or getting out of order, while also contributing to the neatness and ornamental appearance of the article.

While I have shown and described a pre: ferred embodiment of the invention andone modification in the COIlStlLlOtlOH thereof, it is obvious that other changes may be made in the form and arrangement of the device without departing from the spirit or scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a fastening device for straps, bracelets or the like, the combination ofhinged membersadapted to be folded together in overlying relation, means for attaching the end of a strap-section to one member, a projection on the other member adapted to engage through any one of a plurality of holes in the other strap-section to adjustably attach the latter thereto, and means on the first member for yieldingly engaging the projection on the second member to clasp the parts in closed or folded relation.

2. In a device of the type specified, the roanbination of hinged members adapted, to be folded together in overlying relation, means" for attaching the end of a strap or bracelet to one member, a hook on the other member for engagement with a hole in the end of the opposite strap-length, and means on the first member adapted to engage with saidhook on the second member to clasp the two members in closed or folded relation.

3. In a device of the type specified, the combination of hinged membersadapted to be folded together in overlying relation, means for attaching the end of a straplength to one member, a hook formed integral with the other member and adapted to engage with a hole in the end of the other strap-length to secure the latter flat against the front of said member, and a springdetent on the first member adapted to snap over the neck of the hook on the second member to clasp the members in closed rela tion.

4:. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a plate, a second plate hingedly connected to the first plate to adapt it to fold into overlying relation therewith, a hook sheared from the metal of the first plate and bent over to adapt it to hook through a hole in the strapdength, means for securing the other strap-length to the second plate, and a detent finger formed integral with the second plate and adapted for insertion through the hole in the strap whereby to yieldingly engage it with the bend in the hook on the first plate.

5. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a plate provided with longitudinal sideflanges and formed with an integral hook sheared from .its central portion and bent over to overlie its front face, a second plate hinged at its end between the sidehanges of the first plate and cut away to provide an opening at its center to adapt the hook in the first plate to project therethrough, and means at the edge of the opening of the second plate for effecting a clasping engagement with the hook on the first plate.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signa; ture.

CHARLES H. KESTENMAN. 

